Combined print washing and fixing device



Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES COMBINED PRINT WASHING AND FIXING DEVICE Robert H. Takase, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii Application November 16, 1937, Serial No. 174,861

2 Claims.

My invention relates to combined photographic print washing and fixing devices and more particularly to that type employing a wash tank in which liquid is circulated.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a photographic print washing and fixing device equipped with means for holdingthe prints therein in a manner whereby the liquid is effectively circulated about all of the prints contained therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the above described character wherein the prints are maintained therein in spaced relation whereby the liquid may be easily circulated therebetween.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a top plan View of my invention.

Fig. '2 is: a side elevation thereof partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the print basket.

Fig. 4 is a disassembled perspective View of one of the separators and spacers.

In practicing my invention l provide a wash tank 5 having front, rear and lateral walls forming sides 6 and a bottom l. Within the tank 5 there is positioned a print basket 8, preferably constructed of welded sections of Wire forming open sides and top 9 and I0 respectively, latticed bottom II and supporting feet l2.

Secured to the strands of Wire forming the longitudinally extending sides are oppositely dis posed separator positioning means constituting spacers I3. Said spacers comprise strips of metal of U-shaped configuration in cross section formo ing a channel I4 for receiving therein ends of transversely extending separators l5. Said separators are constructed of a wire frame having latticed sections of Wire secured therein.

One of the walls of the tank adjacent a lower L5 corner thereof has secured therethrough a liquid inlet pipe l5 connected at one end to a liquid supply tube Il. The opposite end of said inlet pipe extends within the tank a partial distance in parallelism with one of the sides` 6 and subjacent the bottom Il of the basket 8. The corner of the tank adjacent the inlet pipe It is of square configuration while the other corners are of arcuate configuration for circulating liquid discharged from said pipe about and through the basket. A suitable outlet or overflow pipe I8 is provided on one of the sides to prevent overowing of the tank during the circulation of liquid therein.

A spacing means comprising a decagonal frame I S, preferably constructed of wire, is secured 5 about the sides of the basket by means of sections of wire 20 Welded to said frame and said basket. The decagonal frame serves to space the sides of said basket in antiparallelism with the sides of the tank 5, thereby positioning the ends of the separators in step formation relative to the longitudinal sides of the tank.

Between the separators, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, there is provided photographic prints 2l for the purpose of being subjected to a Washing or fixing -by the liquid circulated within the tank.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when liquid is discharged from the inlet pipe l'l the same Will becirculated within the tank, the curved corners serving to direct the flow of. the liquid and prints secured in the basket between the separators will be subjected to the liquid. As clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, the stepped arrangement of the endsI of the T55 separators are projected into the direction of flow of the liquid thereby effecting a circulation of the liquid between the separators and corelated prints. This arrangement of the parts effects an even distribution of the flow of the 30 liquid between the various prints resulting in the entire area of the prints being washed or xed in an even manner. Furthermore, each of the prints are subjected to substantially the same amount of liquid pressure which is very desirable in the developing of photographic prints.

Placing of the prints in the basket may be accomplished either by placing all of the separators in their proper places and dropping the prints between said separators, or by removing 40 all o-f the separators if the same be contained Within the basket and placing alternately a print and a separator Within the basket beginning from one end of the basket. The prints are removed from the basket or holder by removing all of 4' the separators, thereby permitting the washed or fixed prints to be removed with ease.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising, a print basket adapted for use in a wash "o tank, spaced separators within said basket, and a frame about said basket including side and end sections angularly disposed relative to both the sides and ends of said basket, a pair of said side sections adjacent the sides of said basket adapted foi appressed engagement with the sides of said tank, and pairs of said end sections having corners adapted for engagement with the ends of said tank, said pair of side sections coacting With said corners of said pairs of end sections to position and maintain the sides of said basket in antiparallelism with the sides of said Wash tank whereby liquid circulated in said tank is directed between said separators.

2. A device of the character described, coniprising, a print basket adapted for use in a Wash tank, separators within said basket, spacers secured to said basket and maintaining said separators in spaced relation, and a frame about said basket including side and end sections angularly disposed relative to both the sides and ends of said basket, a pair of said side sections adjacent the sides of said basket adapted for appressed engagement with the sides ci said tank, and pairs of said end sections having corners adapted for engagement with the ends of said tank, said pailI of side sections coacting with said corners of said pairs o-f end sections to position and maintain the sides of said basket in antiparallelisrn with the sides of said Wash tank whereby liquid circulated in said tank is directed between said separators.

ROBERT H. TAKASE. 

